Starship’s 12th test flight will debut the rocket’s Version 3 (V3) configuration, SpaceX’s largest and most powerful yet. [Credit: SpaceX]
Key Takeaways:
SpaceX is preparing to launch Starship Version 3 (V3) as early as May 19, an upgraded and more powerful iteration of the largest rocket ever built.
V3 incorporates significant enhancements including more powerful Raptor 3 engines, improved payload capacity, and systems for in-orbit fuel transfer, which are critical for future deep-space missions.
This Flight 12 mission primarily aims to test V3's upgrades and gather data, with specific tests like deploying Starlink simulators and evaluating the heat shield, though it will not attempt a Super Heavy booster catch.
A successful V3 flight and subsequent increase in launch cadence are crucial for SpaceX's commercial ambitions, including Starlink deployments, and its commitment to NASA's Artemis IV lunar landing mission by 2028.
SpaceX is once again preparing to launch the largest, most powerful rocket in history.
The company in 2023 debuted the first iteration of Starship—the gargantuan spacecraft it is building to deploy satellites, create orbital data centers and, eventually, fly to the moon and Mars. It introduced the upgraded Version 2 (V2) in 2025.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
